Opposition chiefs
have this weekend lined up several grassroots rallies across the country as
they step up their battle against President William Ruto.
Opposition leaders and emerging political formations are spreading out across different regions in bid to endear themselves to Kenyans ahead of the decisive 2027 election.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi
movement will on Sunday hold a major rally at Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi.
The team that also has Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Siaya Governor James Orengo are seeking to demonstrate its growing support in the capital and position itself as a formidable force within the larger opposition.
“Our Jacaranda rally is like any other rally but we are going to make some announcements to our supporters,” Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi told the Star on phone ahead of the rally.
The rally comes as Sifuna increasingly projects Linda Mwananchi as a vehicle for mobilising voters opposed to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
On Friday, there were media reports of plans by ODM to stage a parallel rally to counter the Linda Mwananchi event.
However, ODM Nairobi national chairperson George Aladwa dismissed the claims saying the Orange party had no intention of holding a counter rally.
The movement’s push into Nairobi will be closely be watched given the capital’s political significance and Sifuna’s attempt to consolidate the city as a base for his emerging political project.
While Sifuna takes his campaign to Nairobi, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka will be traversing Garissa and Tana River counties, extending the opposition’s search for support beyond its traditional strongholds.
“From Friday, September 11, 2026 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, the party leader will commence the Ukombozi tour of Garissa and Tana River counties,” Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru said.
Kalonzo’s Coast and Northeastern outreach is particularly significant as he seeks to demonstrate that his challenge to Ruto is not confined to Lower Eastern political base.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, meanwhile, is taking his Renaissance Party to the Coast in an attempt to expand its national footprint and test its appeal.
The second term lawmaker will be in Kilifi, Mombasa and Taita Taveta counties.
In another significant development, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was in Makueni on Thursday, taking his political mobilisation outside his central Kenya backyard.
Nyoro has been traversing the Central region in the recent days.
President Ruto enjoying the incumbency has the advantage of state machinery, visibility and an established national political network.
But the opposition’s emerging strategy appears set to deny him uncontested political space by forcing his rivals into the grassroots early enough to build structures, identify local leaders and test their popularity.
